Students may soon have to take one semester of civics in order to graduate from high school. Illinois Public Radio's Brittanie Brooks reports.
Many schools already teach civics, as part of their social studies curriculum. But Representative Donald Moffitt ... a Republican from Galesburg ... says all of them should.
"Obviously with Illinois' reputation of corruption in politics I think we need to have an emphasis on responsible citizens and dealing with those issues."
Those opposed to the requirement say it's an unfunded mandate.
But private organizations have offered to fund three years' of training for schools that don't already offer civics.
The measure passed the House, 81 to 29.